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“For I  was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me...” Matthew 25:35
 
Among the most satisfying and vital ministries is St. John's is Christian outreach.  A downtown parish  sees its neighbors in need on a daily basis.  As with all ministries at St. John's lay volunteers lead outreach.  As we work alongside those less fortunate than ourselves, we begin to see Christ in one another as never before.

The Emergency Assistance Program—continues to operate on a weekly schedule, providing financial aid on a one-time grant basis to local families in transitional need.

The Crossroads Ministry—helps needy families on a deeper level with greater financial aid and acts as a longer-term liaison to helping these families connect with many community resources to enable them to “get back on their feet”.

The Community Youth Program—housed at St. John’s in the afternoons, continues to provide needed tutoring and afternoon activities for many middle school youth.

St. John’s Community Living Club—who has been meeting here for 20 years, provides friendship, food, and fun twice monthly for about 40 mentally challenged people referred to us through Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare.

Roanoke Valley Interfaith Hospitality Network—provides a week’s shelter and food for up to 15 of the valley’s homeless families on a rotating basis with other area churches of all denominations.

Emergency Needs, St. John’s raised over $2,100 for emergency relief for the victims of the Katrina hurricane disaster, 684 toothbrushes for the Rescue Mission and 122 books for our TAP/Head Start Program this year.

Summer Enrichment Program—we provide local staffing and financial support to this program for disadvantaged children.

St. Francis House—we donate food and financial support to their food pantry.

Kimoyo—our volunteers help the members of our partner church, Kingdom Life International, to staff the Binaba Shop in downtown Roanoke. Proceeds from the Binaba Shop go directly to the Kimoyo Ltd. Foundation which is actively involved in building a new medical clinic and a self-sustaining hospital in Zebilla, Ghana. Also, many church members support the yearly Kimoyo musical celebration held in Roanoke, the proceeds of which go to benefit the many outreach missions of Kimoyo.

Additionally, St. John’s supplies monetary support to the following:

• Pastoral Care Counseling Center
• The Boys Home in Covington
• Roanoke Area Ministries (RAM)
  

Our Outreach programs are championed by many people who feel a sense of community and obligation to reach out to those in need. We have a desperate need for more “worker bees”.  For more information or volunteer opportunites, please contact Colston Clarke at 342-3304.


Thank you for all that you do to keep these programs alive and well!